Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The district cleaned up pretty well. Where there was rubbish right after the inaugural ceremonies, the city looked ready for business and (still) major mass of tourists not even 24 hours after the historic event.
But let me go back to the start of my day. The weather in Washington was still at 9 degrees on the early morning. Norma decided that that really is not a conducive exploring- weather for warm bloodied Californians. So we went shopping at Tysons Corner instead. I had to get another bag for all these souvenirs I have accumulated. So we took care of breakfast and went on the hunt for a tote bag to hold my new belongings which will soon be give-aways… or saved for the next 20 years never to be looked at again…. unless Ebay has a market for OBAMA merchandise.
Hugo Boss tote bag purchased, breakfast quiche downed, we headed back to the hotel and got ready for another day in D. C. I am getting pretty good with this metro system. I can even determine which line to take and which stop I need to get off on to get somewhere. Only thing is that I can not be seated facing the opposite direction of the metro’s movement as I am realizing that would mean motion sickness… Oh, I have to show you my official Obama metro ticket too… official bottled water, official cap, official hat… everything is Obama official something. Those will be another post.
Norma and I headed to the district and went looking for a post office so we can mail postcards…for my students and our grandchildren - official Obama postcards of course :) and get those stamped /marked with the Washington D.C. Yes, we are so into this Obama fever!
After that, we went towards the White House. We walked down Pennsylvania Avenue and found masses of people posing, taking pictures, and marveling at the new residence of Michelle, Barrack, and the girls. So we got in on the act too. :)
One woman was complaining that she got in line around the corner only to be told that the line was for a ticketed tour… she continued to complain that outside of the fenced place was the closest she could get to the Capitol! I told her that she was at the White House grounds and pointed to where the Capitol is… She was completely shocked. I am glad that I am not the only one who is geography or perhaps directionally challenged… or is this what Barrack meant when he said our schools are failing our people / children ... I do not take responsibility for her ignorance though. I may be a school teacher these days, but she is almost or about my age and I did not nor my contemporaries taught her. Don’t we show a picture of the White House to our students during Presidents’ Day or Washington’s Birthday? Or during election time ??? What gives?
Does this look like the capitol? Tsk, tsk....
After we did more souvenir shopping, and photograph posing and taking, we were headed for the metro once again with intended stops at a Smithsonian, a bathroom, or whatever else enticed the both of us. It seemed like the vendors are really enticing, so we spent sometime at some vendor stands.
Finally, we headed for the metro with a stop at Starbucks. We planned to head back to the hotel early enough to get in a nap before dinner. Such was not going to be the case, metro tickets were demagnetized and they do not issue you new tickets for this problem… never mind how much money that ticket has. You need to take that on with the Washington DC transportation authorities. Ok, so I purchased another metro ticket. I just want to get back to a bed. But prior to boarding my metro, we witnessed a shouting match between two women! My goodness, no shouting in public!
Back to our stop, we found out that our hotel does not have shuttle service during our arrival time. Taxi was better than waiting at this point. Besides, I am tired.
Back at the hotel, we really did not have time for a nap, so we sat down, watched the news and headed to the mall to find a restaurant. We ended up at PFChangs ... where does the time go? By the time we were done with dinner it was close to 10PM! So, back to the hotel and me packing for the trip home.
I have a 4AM wake-up call and a taxi service at 4:30 for the flight at 6:55 AM. This is going to be another sleep- deprived day. Somehow 4AM wake-up calls seem to be the norm in this city. I always say I do not need a lot of sleep but this is ridiculous! :)
Home tomorrow and my bed is waiting.
Comments (6)
Hi Eden, i'm enjoying all the news about your D.C. trip. Hope your weekend of big events went well. We missed you at Slowbowl but hope to catch up with you at some event this year.
Posted by Barb Cabot | February 2, 2009 10:55 PM
Posted on February 2, 2009 22:55
It's been fun reading about your adventure in Washington D.C. I don't do well with early wake up calls either.
Posted by girasoli | February 2, 2009 11:12 PM
Posted on February 2, 2009 23:12
What a wonderful thing to get to experience this amazing historical event. Can't wait to see your Obama souvenirs!
Posted by Annie | February 3, 2009 5:19 AM
Posted on February 3, 2009 05:19
Another long day in Washington! I had to laugh at the woman who mixed up the Capitol and the white house! And I am sorry your card got demagnetized, what a pain.
Posted by Chiocciola | February 3, 2009 5:22 AM
Posted on February 3, 2009 05:22
9 degrees!? This tropical islander is shaking at the thought of going out when it's 9 degrees outside.
Sounds like a fun and long day. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by María I. | February 3, 2009 9:27 AM
Posted on February 3, 2009 09:27
I love this piece you've written about your experience with the inauguration. Thanks for posting it!
Posted by Brenda | February 3, 2009 6:35 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 18:35